Opinions from Others.
Page 18
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Shell There be Agents ?
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1107] SiE,—I hope those who contemplate taking up agencies for commercial vehicles will have a very clear stipulation in the agreement that the manufacturers shall not sell to customers below their list prices. ts things stand at present, an agency would be a perfect farce. Many of the makers seem to quote trade terms to any inquirers. 1 saw a letter this week from one of the firms who advertise regularly in the " C.M." This was to a likely customer of mine, in response to an inquiry from him. They quoted him the full trade discount! How then is an agent to live, and what inducement is there to take up an agency. I hope the S.M.M.T. will take up the matter. It is impossible that the makers should want to throw away profits like this when they could make a nice extra profit by selling at their list price to users. The number of makers of commercial vehicles is so sinall comparatively, that there should be no difficulty in their coming to an agreement which would be profitable to themselves.and fair to the trade.—Yours faith
fully, J. W. BENNETT. 44, Upper Mall, Hammersmith.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1108] Sir,—With reference to the above, I regret to say that my experience of agents has not been of a very favourable nature. Some two years ago I ordered a commercial vehicle through an agent representing a well-known firm. Not being content with his commission on the sale, he informed me shortly before delivery that, since ordering my vehicle, solid tires had gone up in price, and that I Would have to pay the difference, namely, some £7 10s. At the same time, he informed me that I would be required to pay carriage on the chassis, which amounted to £10. These two items I naturally refused to pay, with the result that we landed in court. Although the points in question were decided in my favour, it cost me some £2. Since then, I have had another two vehicles, but certainly not from this agent. What is really wanted in my district is an agent capable of executing repairs himself, and one prepared to keep a good stock of spares, and to take a thorough interest in the machine he is representing. I often hear the questions asked. when talking of a vehicle which is manufactured at a considerable distance away from where it is to be run : "How are we to get repairs done ? How long shall we have to wait for spare parts ?" These are questions which require
serious consideration. For a machine to be held up, waiting for some part coming from the manufacturer, means a heavy loss. Personally speaking, a machine held up for a week-end in the summer months means £12 loss to our company. maintain that a capable agent, to thoroughly interest himself in the vehicle he is representing, and to treat a buyer in a proper manner, should and will receive every encouragement.—Yours faithfully, STEWART'S MOTORS, LTD., Wishaw. JAMES STEWART, Director.
Who Owns the Engine ?
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1109] Sir,—We have received a set of four cylinders (monobloc) from Cambridge, but, unfortunately, the name is not enclosed, and no advice has been sent, although the case is marked urgent. The only clue we have is an old copy of THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR, which is in the bores. Perhaps, as the sender is a reader of your paper, if you insert a paragraph in your columns, he will write to us, as possibly he has overlooked forwarding particulars.— Yours faith fully,
THE Homo WELDING CO. Holloway Road, N.
Left-handed Motor Road Sweepers.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[1110] Sir,—In your issue of 14th November, you quote a letter from Mr. D. McColl, Superintendent of the Cleansing Department of the .Glasgow Corporation, in which he states that it was fouirid impossible to obtain satisfactory motor sweepers from French makers, due to the fact that the brushes are constructed to throw the sweepings to the right-hand side of the road.
We would point out that the Renard-Latil frontwheel-driven motor sweepers are constructed specially for the English market to throw the sweepings to the left. At the same time, we might point out that the front-wheel drive is specially suitable for this class of work, as, all the mechanism being over the front axle, it is well out of the way of any dust that may 15e thrown up during sweeping.—Yours faithfully, THE RENARD COMMERCIAL MOTOR CO., LTD.
London. G. MASSY-BIJRNSmE, Manager.
Concerning Speedometers.
The Editor, THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR.
[M.1] Sir,—Can any of your readers advise us as to a suitable speedometer or mileage recorder for fitting to a 30-cwt. commercial lorry? We may say that we had one fitted when we bought the vehicle some two and half years ago, and this gave out after running some 11,000 miles, but, during this period,we had to take it out for repairs some three or four times.
We then installed an instrument made by another firm, and we have had this for quite a Ion e time, but it has never properly recorded for more than 300 or 400 miles at a stretch, and at last we have been compelled to ask the makers to take it out, as being unsuitable.
Surely, there must be some firm in England which makes a good reliable instrument for this purpose ? Hoping some other user will let us have their views on the subject—Yours faithfully, PETER BAILEY AND SONS. Heaton Mersey Pottery Works.
IThere must be wear and tear on speedometer drives, but Wine are
better than others.—EP.1 :